Róa
{{Short description|2025 single by Væb}}
{{redirect-distinguish|RÓA|Roa (disambiguation){{!}}Roa|ROA (disambiguation){{!}}ROA}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}{{Use British English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox song
| name = {{lang|is|Róa|i=no}}
| cover = File:Væb - Róa cover art.jpg
| alt = The cover artwork for "Róa". The cover features cartoon versions of the members of Væb stranded on an island with their boat.
| type = single
| artist = Væb
| album =
| released = 17 January 2025
| genre = Electrofolk{{Cite web|url=https://yle.fi/a/7-10074982|title=Ranking: Här är alla 37 bidrag i årets Eurovision Song Contest|lang=sv|date=5 April 2025|first=Eva|last=Frantz|publisher=Yle|access-date=9 April 2025|archive-date=14 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514011457/https://yle.fi/a/7-10074982|url-status=live}}
| length = 2:42
| label = Alda
| writer =
| composer = * Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson
- Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
- {{ill|Ingi Þór Garðarsson|is|Ingi Bauer}}
- Matthías Davíð Matthíasson
| lyricist = * Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
- Ingi Þór Garðarsson
- Matthías Davíð Matthíasson
| producer = * Matthías Davíð Matthíasson
- Ingi Bauer
| prev_title = {{lang|is|Til hamingju|i=no}}
| prev_year = 2024
| next_title = {{langr|is|Sótt honum}}
| next_year = 2025
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|-yJwUsA40K4|"Róa"}}}}
{{Infobox song contest entry
| embed = yes
| year = 2025
| country = Iceland
| artist = Væb
| language = Icelandic
| composer = {{unbulleted list|Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson|Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson|Ingi Þór Garðarsson|Matthías Davíð Matthíasson}}
| lyricist = {{unbulleted list|Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson|Ingi Þór Garðarsson|Matthías Davíð Matthíasson}}
| place = 25th
| points = 33
| place_semi = 6th
| points_semi = 97
| prev = Scared of Heights
| prev_year = 2024
| prev_link = Scared of Heights
| next =
| next_year =
| next_link =
}}
{{External music video|header=Official performance video|{{YouTube|f3mAIpm5QxI|"Róa" (First Semi-Final)}}
{{YouTube|c73Lx1QUZZA|"Róa" (Grand Final)}}}}
}}
"Róa" (stylised as "RÓA"; pronounced {{bracket|ˈrouːa}}; {{translation|"Row"}}) is a song by Icelandic electronic music duo Væb. The song was released on 17 January 2025 through Alda Music and was written by Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson, Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson, {{ill|Ingi Þór Garðarsson|is|Ingi Bauer}}, and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson. It {{esccnty|Iceland|y=2025|t=represented Iceland}} in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, where it placed 25th in the grand final with 33 points.
The song describes the story of frogs climbing a mountain, with an encouraging a message to persist through hard times. Both the song and its Eurovision performance received mixed reception from international and Eurovision-related media outlets. The song's high-energy musical composition was both praised and criticised in various reviews; additionally, some found the lyrics to lack meaningful depth. "Róa" enjoyed commercial success in its native Iceland, peaking at number one. The song additionally peaked within the top ten in Sweden.
Background and composition
File:PrepartyES - VAEB 07 (cropped).jpg (Matthías on left, Hálfdán on right).]]
"Róa" was written by the members of the musical duo Væb (Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson and Matthías Davíð Matthíasson) alongside {{ill|Ingi Þór Garðarsson|is|Ingi Bauer}} and Gunnar Björn Gunnarsson, with production handled by Matthías and Ingi Bauer.{{Cite web |last=Egging |first=Kiel |date=13 April 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Iceland profile: RÓA by VÆB |url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/eurovision-2025-iceland-profile-r%C3%B3a-by-v%C3%A6b |access-date=10 June 2025 |website=Aussievision |language=en}} In an interview with Morgunblaðið, the duo, who consider themselves as religious Christians, compared the song's story to the story of Jesus calming the storm, which describes Jesus' miracle of calming a stormy sea while upon a boat on the Sea of Galilee with his disciples.{{Cite web |date=6 February 2025 |title=Slógu í gegn með "næstum" Eurovision-lagi Íslands |trans-title=Hit the road with Iceland's 'almost' Eurovision song and sail onto the stage |url=https://k100.mbl.is/frettir/2025/02/06/slogu_i_gegn_med_naestum_eurovision_lagi_islands/ |access-date=11 June 2025 |website=Morgunblaðið |language=is}}{{Citation |last1=Boring |first1=M. Eugene |title=The People's New Testament Commentary |date=Oct 1, 2004 |page=126 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=0-66422754-6 |last2=Craddock |first2=Fred B.}}. The first draft of the song was written by Gunnarsson and Garðarsson, who collaborated to create the song's main melody.{{Cite web |last=Hallgrímsson |first=Skapti |date=17 May 2025 |title=Stundum gerist eitthvað geggjað |trans-title=Sometimes something amazing happens |url=https://www.akureyri.net/is/moya/news/stundum-gerist-eitthvad-geggjad |access-date=14 June 2025 |website=Akureyri.net |language=is}} According to Gunnarson, his version of the song told the story of a journey of two pirates; the song was eventually shelved until the members of Væb found it and requested changes to create an entry for Söngvakeppnin 2025, Iceland's national competition to select its entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The song was released on 17 January 2025 alongside all other songs competing in {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=Þessi lög taka þátt í Söngvakeppninni |trans-title=These songs are participating in Söngvakeppnin |url=https://www.mbl.is/folk/frettir/2025/01/17/thessi_log_taka_thatt_i_songvakeppninni/ |access-date=14 June 2025 |website=Morgunblaðið |language=is}} The cover artwork for "Róa" was designed by Arnfinnur Sigmundsson.{{Cite Instagram |postid=DE8HFGPgMp5 |user=bara_vaeb |title=Opps i did it again sagði skáldið. Það er satt. Við erum að keppa í söngvakeppninni 2025 með lagið RÓA sem var samið með the goat @ingibauer Mix og master @starrionthebeat Albúm cover - @addinabblakusk Erum að missa okkur, þetta verður geeeeðveikt, vona að þið njótið. Xoxo |author=VÆB |date=17 January 2025 |trans-title=Opps i did it again said the poet. It's true. We are competing in the 2025 song contest with the song RÓA which was written with the goat @ingibauer Mix and master @starrionthebeat Album cover - @addinabblakusk We are losing ourselves, this is going to be geeeeeery, hope you enjoy. Xoxo}}
The band describes "Róa" as a story that encourages persistence through hard times. In an interview with RÚV, the duo stated that song's lyrics tell the story of a group of frogs climbing a mountain. However, all but one frog stopped after a crowd told the frogs that they would not be able to climb the mountain. The one who persisted made it to the summit. When asked why he continued, the frog did not answer because it was deaf.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=VÆB – Söngvakeppnin 2025 |url=https://www.ruv.is/songvakeppnin/vaeb-songvakeppnin-2025/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2025 |website=RÚV |archive-date=6 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250306120247/https://www.ruv.is/songvakeppnin/vaeb-songvakeppnin-2025 }} The duo later stated in an interview with Iceland Review that the song's story was inspired by a story they had heard in church.{{Cite web |last=Tómas |first=Ragnar |date=14 May 2025 |title=Iceland Review Sits Down with Eurovision Finalists VÆB |url=https://www.icelandreview.com/news/iceland-review-sits-down-with-eurovision-finalists-vaeb/ |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Iceland Review |language=en-US}} The song additionally features references to the Danish territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands alongside Icelandic television host Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, which Wiwibloggs{{'}} Ruxandra Tudor interpreted as the duo's desire to "metaphorically represent rowing toward success in the music industry".{{Cite web |last=Tudor |first=Ruxandra |date=21 April 2025 |title='Steering at sea, I am a captain' — VÆB are rowing through stormy seas in the 'RÓA' lyrics |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/04/21/vaeb-roa-lyrics-translation/284197/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} An analysis from Heimildin{{'}}s Jón Trausti Reynisson stated that the song represented "the spirit of innovation, self-confidence and unbridled drive" of Generation Z.{{Cite web |last=Reynisson |first=Jón Trausti |date=9 April 2025 |title=VÆB: Sigur nýrrar kynslóðar |trans-title=VÆB: Victory of a new generation |url=https://heimildin.is/grein/24306/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Heimildin}}
Music video and promotion
A music video directed by {{ill|Óli Gunnar Gunnarsson|is|Óli Gunnar Gunnarsson}} accompanied the song's release and was released on 6 February 2025.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yJwUsA40K4 |title=VÆB - RÓA (Official Music Video) - Eurovision 2025 Iceland |date=6 February 2025 |last=Væb |author-link=Væb |publisher=YouTube}} According to Vísir.is, the video was produced in the span of two days, with the video's story detailing Væb's journey throughout the Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, with the duo stopping at a bar to tell a bartender their story.{{Cite web |last=Gunnarsson |first=Oddur Ævar |date=2 June 2025 |title=Frumsýning á Vísi: Óvæntir gestir hjá Væb-bræðrum |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252685391d/frum-syning-a-visi-o-vaentir-gestir-hja-vaeb-braedrum |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Vísir.is |language=is}}
To promote the song, Væb performed it on various occasions before Eurovision. On 5 March 2025, the duo performed as part of Icelandic Ash Wednesday (known as {{Lang|is|Öskudagur}}) celebrations in a concert for children at the headquarters of Nói Síríus, an Icelandic chocolate company.{{Cite web |last=Erlingsdóttir |first=Margrét Helga |date=3 March 2025 |title=Silfurlitaða VÆB byltingin tók yfir öskudaginn: "Þetta er geggjað! Þetta er galið! Þetta er geðveikt!" |trans-title=The silver coloured VÆB revolution took over on Ash Wednesday: "This is amazing! This is crazy! This is insane!" |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252697319d/silfur-litada-vaeb-byltingin-tok-yfir-osku-daginn-thetta-er-geggjad-thetta-er-galid-thetta-er-ged-veikt- |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Vísir.is |language=is}} On 26 April, they performed on an episode of {{ill|Vikan með Gísla Marteini|is|Vikan með Gísla Marteini}}, an Icelandic talk show.{{Cite web |last=Björnsdóttir |first=Anna María |date=26 April 2025 |title=VÆB eru ekki búnir að missa allt |trans-title=VÆB hasn't lost everything |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/442303 |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=RÚV}} The duo performed at Eurovision pre-parties during the months of March and April 2025, including the Nordic Eurovision Party on 22 March,{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Jamie |date=18 March 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Oslo Nordic Eurovision Pre-party preview |url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/eurovision-2025-oslo-nordic-eurovision-pre-party-preview |access-date=13 June 2025 |website=Aussievision |language=en}} Eurovision in Concert on 5 April,{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=5 April 2025 |title=Tonight: 🇳🇱 Eurovision In Concert 2025 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/05/tonight-eurovision-in-concert-2025/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} the London Eurovision Party on 13 April,{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=13 April 2025 |title=Today: 🇬🇧 London Eurovision Party 2025 & Your Voix 2025 Semi-Final One Finalists Announced |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/13/today-london-eurovision-party-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417091143/https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/13/today-london-eurovision-party-2025/ |archive-date=17 April 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} and Pre-Party ES on 19 April.{{Cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=8 April 2025 |title=🇪🇸 PrePartyES 2025 Presenters Revealed |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/08/prepartyes-2025-presenters-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250427175121/https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/08/prepartyes-2025-presenters-revealed/ |archive-date=27 April 2025 |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The duo also released a live jazz version of the song on Eurovision's YouTube channel on 31 March.{{Cite web |date=31 March 2025 |title=VÆB - RÓA in English (Live Jazz Version) {{!}} Iceland 🇮🇸 {{!}} #EurovisionALBM |url=https://eurovision.tv/video/vaeb-roa-english-live-jazz-version-iceland-eurovisionalbm |access-date=14 June 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en}} Væb additionally sold replicas of their outfits at {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025 after the duo's victory at the competition,{{Cite web |last=Tryggvadóttir |first=Rósa Margrét |date=27 February 2025 |title=Búningarnir seldust upp á augabragði – nýtt æði grípur þjóðina |trans-title=The costumes sold out immediately - a new obsession in Iceland |url=https://k100.mbl.is/frettir/2025/02/27/uppseldir_a_augabragdi_nytt_aedi_gripur_thjodina/ |access-date=14 June 2025 |website=Morgunblaðið |language=is}} which became a popular Öskudagur costume among children in Iceland according to Vísir.is.{{Cite web |last=Erlingsdóttir |first=Margrét Helga |date=3 March 2025 |title=Krakkarnir sjúkir í silfurlitað á öskudaginn |trans-title=The kids are obsessed with silver colours on Ash Wednesday |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252697127d/krakkarnir-sjukir-i-silfur-litad-a-osku-daginn |access-date=15 June 2025 |website=Vísir.is |language=is}} A week before the contest, the duo opened a pop-up store at the Kringlan Mall that sold Væb-branded merchandise.{{Cite web |last=Tómas |first=Ragnar |date=2025-05-07 |title=Eurovision Duo VÆB Opens Pop-Up Store in Kringlan Mall |url=https://www.icelandreview.com/news/eurovision-duo-vaeb-opens-pop-up-store-in-kringlan-mall/ |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Iceland Review |language=en-US}}
Critical reception
"Róa" received generally mixed reviews from critics. In a Wiwibloggs review containing reviews from several critics, the song was rated 5.50 out of 10 points,{{Cite web |date=25 April 2025 |title=Wiwi Jury: Iceland's VÆB with "RÓA" |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/04/25/eurovision-2025-review-iceland-vaeb-roa-wiwi-jury/284460/ |access-date=10 June 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} earning 27th out of the 37 songs competing in that year's Eurovision in the site's annual ranking.{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=13 April 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Reviews and rankings by the Wiwi Jury |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/04/14/eurovision-2025-reviews-and-rankings-by-the-wiwi-jury/284323/ |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} ESC Beat{{'}}s Doron Lahav ranked the song 32nd overall, writing that the song was "too blended", criticising the duo's vocal abilities and the song's verses.{{Cite web |last=Lahav |first=Doron |date=5 April 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Song Reviews – Part 3 (Belgium, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and The Netherlands) |url=https://escbeat.com/2025/04/05/eurovision-2025-song-reviews-part-3-belgium-iceland-norway-sweden-and-the-netherlands/ |url-status=live |access-date=10 June 2025 |website=ESC Beat |language=en-US |archive-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405145817/https://escbeat.com/2025/04/05/eurovision-2025-song-reviews-part-3-belgium-iceland-norway-sweden-and-the-netherlands/ }} Jon O'Brien, a writer for Vulture, ranked the song 24th overall, describing the duo as "bleached blonde, twinky siblings who've seemingly consumed their body weight in E numbers" but admitting that the duo's "sheer force of energy will no doubt send the equally hyperactive, fiddle-heavy techno to the final".{{Cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Jon |date=13 May 2025 |title=Every 2025 Eurovision Entry, Ranked |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/every-2025-eurovision-song-ranked.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250513132313/https://www.vulture.com/article/every-2025-eurovision-song-ranked.html |archive-date=13 May 2025 |access-date=14 May 2025 |website=Vulture |language=en}} However, O'Brien additionally wrote that it "may well struggle against the bangers that are far less likely to bring on a migraine". Rob Picheta, writer for American outlet CNN, ranked it 18th out of the 26 finalists in Eurovision 2025, stating that the song may "potentially [bring] a bit too much energy" to Eurovision to "shake TV viewers out of a ballad-induced slumber".{{Cite web |last=Picheta |first=Rob |date=16 May 2025 |title=The good, the bad and the raunchy: Every song at Eurovision, ranked from worst to first |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/entertainment/eurovision-2025-final-songs-rankings-cmd-intl |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516133131/https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/16/entertainment/eurovision-2025-final-songs-rankings-cmd-intl |archive-date=16 May 2025 |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}} The Times' Ed Potton ranked it 12th out of 26 finalists, ranking it three out of five stars and stating that the "mix of dance-pop, rapping and fiddles is{{Spaces|1}}... rather rousing".{{Cite web |last=Potton |first=Ed |date=16 May 2025 |title=The Eurovision 2025 finalists ranked — from hypnotic to atrocious |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/eurovision-2025-finalists-list-ranked-709v33bck |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517023001/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/eurovision-2025-finalists-list-ranked-709v33bck |archive-date=17 May 2025 |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=The Times |language=en}}
Yle's Eva Frantz gave the song a 7 out of 10 rating, writing that the upbeat electrofolk song "sits perfectly as the opening song in this year's Eurovision".{{cite web |last=Frantz |first=Eva |date=5 April 2025 |title=Ranking: Här är alla 37 bidrag i årets Eurovision Song Contest |trans-title=Ranking: Here are all 37 entries in this year's Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://yle.fi/a/7-10074982 |access-date=14 May 2025 |publisher=Yle |lang=sv |archive-date=14 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514011457/https://yle.fi/a/7-10074982 |url-status=live }} Aftenposten
Eurovision Song Contest
= ''Söngvakeppnin'' ''2025'' =
Iceland's national broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) organised {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025, the national final to select Iceland's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The competition featured ten songs in two semi-finals consisting of five songs each on 8 February and 15 February. The top three songs in each semi-final moved onto the grand final via a sole televote.{{cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=13 January 2025 |title=🇮🇸 Iceland: Söngvakeppnin 2025 Dates & Format Changes Announced |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/01/03/iceland-songvakeppnin-2025-dates-format-changes-announced/ |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=Eurovoix News |archive-date=3 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103160058/https://eurovoix.com/2025/01/03/iceland-songvakeppnin-2025-dates-format-changes-announced/ |url-status=live }} In the grand final, the winner of the competition was determined by a 50/50 split of international juries and televoting.{{cite web |last=Aradóttir |first=Júlía |date=3 January 2025 |title=Einvígið fellt út í Söngvakeppninni 2025 |trans-title=The duel was canceled in Söngvakeppninn 2025 |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-01-03-einvigid-fellt-ut-i-songvakeppninni-2025-432184 |access-date=15 January 2025 |work=RÚV |archive-date=3 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103155633/https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-01-03-einvigid-fellt-ut-i-songvakeppninni-2025-432184 |url-status=live }}
Væb were officially announced as participants on 17 January 2025, being drawn to perform in fifth in the first semi-final.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=22 January 2025 |title=🇮🇸 Iceland: Söngvakeppnin 2025 Semi-Finals Running Order Announced |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/01/22/songvakeppnin-2025-semi-finals-running-order/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The duo qualified, finishing in first with a total of 12,649 votes.{{cite web |last=Einarsdóttir |first=Júlía Margrét |date=8 February 2025 |title=VÆB, Stebbi Jak og Ágúst áfram í úrslit Söngvakeppninnar |trans-title=VÆB, Stebbi Jak and Ágúst continue to the finals of Söngvakeppninn |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-02-08-vaeb-stebbi-jak-og-agust-afram-i-urslit-songvakeppninnar-435780 |access-date=9 February 2025 |work=RÚV |lang=is |archive-date=8 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250208221218/https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-02-08-vaeb-stebbi-jak-og-agust-afram-i-urslit-songvakeppninnar-435780 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Björnsdóttir |first=Anna María |date=24 February 2025 |title=Svona kaus þjóðin í Söngvakeppninni |trans-title=This is how the people voted in Söngvakeppninn |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-02-24-svona-kaus-thjodin-i-songvakeppninni-437298 |access-date=25 January 2025 |work=RÚV |lang=is |archive-date=26 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250226051720/https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2025-02-24-svona-kaus-thjodin-i-songvakeppninni-437298 |url-status=live }} In the grand final, they were drawn to perform in fourth.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=22 February 2025 |title=Tonight: 🇮🇸 Iceland Selects for Eurovision 2025 & Selections Underway in Four More Countries |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/02/22/tonight-iceland-selects-for-eurovision-2025/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The duo earned first in both the juries and the televote, earning a split score of 74 jury points and 93 televote points for a total of 167 points, 25 more than runner-up "Set Me Free" by Stebbi Jak. As a result of winning the competition, the duo earned the right to represent Iceland at Eurovision 2025.{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=22 February 2025 |title=VÆB win Söngvakeppnin 2025 and will represent Iceland at Eurovision with 'RÓA' |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/02/22/iceland-songvakeppnin-2025-grand-final-results/283725/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}
== Accused plagiarism controversy ==
Prior to {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025, Væb were accused of plagiarising "{{lang|he-latn|HaTunat HaShana|i=no}}" by Israeli singers {{ill|Itay Levi|he|איתי לוי}} and Eyal Golan in late January 2025.{{cite news |last=Gudjónsdóttir |first=Gudrun Wish |date=21 January 2025 |title=Ísraelsmenn saka VÆB um að hafa stolið þekktu lagi |trans-title=The Israelis accuse VÆB of having stolen a known song |url=https://www.dv.is/fokus/2025/1/21/israelsmenn-saka-vaeb-um-ad-hafa-stolid-thekktu-lagi/ |access-date=23 January 2025 |newspaper=DV |lang=is |archive-date=22 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122184345/https://www.dv.is/fokus/2025/1/21/israelsmenn-saka-vaeb-um-ad-hafa-stolid-thekktu-lagi/ |url-status=live }} Shortly afterwards, the duo denied the plagiarism allegations.{{cite web |last=Gunnarsdóttir |first=Þorgerður Anna |date=21 January 2025 |title=RÓA sakað um að líkjast ísraelsku popplagi |trans-title=RÓA accused of sounding like an Israeli pop song |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2025-01-21-roa-sakad-um-ad-likjast-israelsku-popplagi-433765 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=RÚV |lang=is}} Following the song's victory at {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025, Offir Cohen, the composer of "{{lang|he-latn|HaTunat HaShana|i=no}}", filed a complaint to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the sanctioning body for Eurovision, seeking to get the song disqualified.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Noam |date=2025-02-25 |title=פרסום ראשון: אחרי הטענות להעתקה - המכתב של יוצר השיר "חתונת השנה" לאיגוד השידור האירופי |trans-title=First publication: After the allegations of copying - the letter from the creator of the song 'HaTunat HaShana' to the European Broadcasting Union |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-entertainment/2025_q1/Article-421769953fb3591027.htm |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Channel 12}} However, in the following month, Cohen stated to Israeli newspaper Haaretz that he did not wish to seek the song's disqualification anymore, stating, "Mistakes happen. If tomorrow I accidentally take a melody from someone and I realize that I made a mistake, I will not fight it, I will apologize, give credit, reach an understanding{{Spaces}}... which is what the Icelanders are doing right now."{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ido David |date=20 March 2025 |title=בשל הדמיון ל"חתונת השנה", הוקפאו התמלוגים לשיר האיסלנדי לאירוויזיון |trans-title=Due to the similarity to "Wedding of the Year", royalties for the Icelandic Eurovision song were frozen |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/music/eurovision/2025-03-20/ty-article/.premium/00000195-b42e-dcee-a7b7-bf3f4b460000 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250320161126/https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/music/eurovision/2025-03-20/ty-article/.premium/00000195-b42e-dcee-a7b7-bf3f4b460000 |archive-date=20 March 2025 |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Haaretz |language=he}}
= At Eurovision =
The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 took place at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, and consisted of two semi-finals held on 13 and 15 May, respectively, and the final on 17 May 2025.{{cite web |date=30 August 2024 |title=Basel will host Eurovision Song Contest 2025 |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/basel-will-host-eurovision-song-contest-2025 |url-status=live |access-date=28 January 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |archive-date=30 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830080327/https://eurovision.tv/story/basel-will-host-eurovision-song-contest-2025 }} During the allocation draw held on 28 January 2025, Iceland was drawn to compete in the first semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.{{Cite web |date=28 January 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final Draw Results |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-draw-results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128120331/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-semi-final-draw-results |archive-date=28 January 2025 |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |language=en}} Væb were later drawn to perform in first as the semi-final's opener, before {{Esccnty|Poland|y=2025}}'s Justyna Steczkowska.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=27 March 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Semi-Final running order revealed...with Cyprus and Finland closing their shows |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/03/27/eurovision-2025-semi-final-running-order-reveal/284196/ |access-date=17 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}
File:VÆB at ESC2025 for Iceland 32.jpg
For its Eurovision performance, Selma Björnsdóttir was appointed as the staging director.{{Cite web |last=Fanning |first=Mo |date=7 May 2025 |title=Iceland's VÆB brothers have trump cards to play |url=https://oneurope.co.uk/countries-a-m/ireland/icelands-vaeb-brothers-have-trump-cards-to-play/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=OnEurope |language=en-GB}} The song was retained in its original language of Icelandic; according to the group, they wanted to follow statistics that stated that every song Iceland sent after 2000 that was in Icelandic qualified into the Eurovision grand final.{{Cite web |last=Ísleifsson |first=Atli |date=24 February 2025 |title=Setja markið á 29. sætið |trans-title=Set the goal for 29th place |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252692607d/setja-markid-a-29.-saetid |url-status=live |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Vísir.is |language=is |archive-date=18 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318215108/https://www.visir.is/g/20252692607d/setja-markid-a-29.-saetid }} The performance featured Væb alongside three backing dancers: Ola Getka, Baldvin Alan Thorarensen, and Úlfhildur Tómasdóttir.{{Cite web |last=Einarsdóttir |first=Júlía Margrét |date=2025-05-17 |title="Við erum öll að gera þetta saman og hafa gaman" |trans-title='We are all doing it together and having fun' |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/444117 |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=RÚV}}{{Cite web |date=17 May 2025 |title="Öll tilbúin að negla þetta" |trans-title='We are all ready to nail this' |url=https://www.sunnlenska.is/frettir/oll-tilbuin-ad-negla-thetta/ |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=Sunnlenska |language=is}} Additionally, Arna Rún Ómarsdóttir was also featured as a backing singer. The performance was described as an upgraded version of their performance from {{Lang|is|Söngvakeppnin}} 2025, with updated graphics.{{Cite web |last=Vecic |first=Tamara |date=14 April 2025 |title=🇮🇸 Iceland: VÆB Announce Changes to Their Staging for Basel |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/04/14/%F0%9F%87%AE%F0%9F%87%B8-iceland-vaeb-announce-changes-to-their-staging-for-basel/ |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} All five performers wore silver-coloured clothing designed by Sylvía Lovetank.{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=3 May 2025 |title=Live in Basel: Eurovision 2025 rehearsals — Day 1 (Saturday 3 May) |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/03/live-eurovision-2025-rehearsals-day-1-saturday-3-may/284604/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Óskarsdóttir |first=Svava Marín |date=5 February 2025 |title=Íslenski Eurovision-hópurinn lagður af stað |trans-title=The Icelandic Eurovision team has launched |url=https://www.visir.is/g/20252721222d/is-lenski-eurovision-hopurinn-lagdur-af-stad |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Vísir.is |language=is}} The background graphics resembled "geometric landscapes" and were compared to graphics from the video game Minecraft and 2015 film Pixels.{{Cite web |last=Lahav |first=Doron |date=12 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final 1 Dress Rehearsals Live Commentary |url=https://escbeat.com/2025/05/12/eurovision-2025-semi-final-1-dress-rehearsals-live-commentary/ |access-date=16 May 2025 |website=ESC Beat |language=en-US |archive-date=16 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250516235632/https://escbeat.com/2025/05/12/eurovision-2025-semi-final-1-dress-rehearsals-live-commentary/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Mazoyer |first=Vincent |date=8 May 2025 |title=XTRA Rehearsals — Semi-final second rehearsals for Iceland, Poland, Slovenia, Estonia and Ukraine |url=https://escxtra.com/2025/05/08/2025-semi-final-2nd-rehearsals-ice-pol-slo-est-ukr/ |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=ESC Xtra |language=en-GB}} Midway through the performance, a boat prop is assembled on stage, where the five dancers perform a choreographed routine on the boat. At the end of the performance, the duo perform a mic drop. "Róa" secured a position in the grand final, finishing in sixth in its semi-final with 97 points.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=18 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 Semi-Final results: Ukraine and Israel won their shows |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2025/05/18/eurovision-2025-semi-final-results-ukraine-and-israel-won-their-shows/284933/ |access-date=18 May 2025 |website=Wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} The qualification was the first for Iceland since 2022.{{Cite web |last=Diego |first=Hugrún Hannesdóttir |date=13 May 2025 |title=VÆB is through to the Eurovision final |url=https://www.ruv.is/english/443694 |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2025 |website=RÚV}}
Reactions to the performance were mixed. Special Broadcasting Service's (SBS) Alexandra Koster praised the performance for its "dash of K-pop [and] a sliver of Irish dancing", adding, "If I could have access to a time machine, I would use it to take me back approximately seven minutes so I could watch Iceland's performance again".{{Cite web |last1=Bahr |first1=Jessica |last2=Koster |first2=Alexandra |date=18 May 2025 |title=Austria's JJ wins 2025 Eurovision Song Contest - as it happened |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/live-blog/eurovision-2025-final-live-updates-and-coverage/1wq3ldaeu |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=SBS News |language=en}} El País' Carlos Marcos described the song as a "headache" in a live blog for Eurovision 2025, criticising the silver suits worn by the dancers.{{Cite web |last1=Marcos |first1=Carlos |last2=Marcos |first2=Natalia |last3=Martínez |first3=Héctor Llanos |date=17 May 2025 |title=Resultados de Eurovisión 2025 {{!}} Gana Austria, seguida de Israel y Melody le da a España el antepenúltimo puesto |trans-title=Eurovision 2025 Results {{!}} Austria wins, followed by Israel and Melody gives Spain the second to last position |url=https://elpais.com/television/2025-05-17/festival-de-eurovision-en-directo-la-gala-en-vivo.html |access-date=30 May 2025 |website=El País |language=es}} The Daily Telegraph's Neil McCormick described the performance as "charmingly cheesy", writing that Væb's costumes "look like Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men dressed for a day at sea". The Times' Will Hodgkinson stated that the song was "a horrible start" to the first semi-final, describing the song as "a painful bit of dance pop".{{Cite web |last=Hodgkinson |first=Will |date=13 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025 semi-final 1 review — the usual glorious nonsense |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/eurovision-2025-semi-final-one-review-the-usual-glorious-nonsense-zdnmgnsxs |access-date=17 June 2025 |website=The Times |language=en}} The Edinburgh Evening News' Benjamin Jackson stated that the Eurovision performance "seemed to lack the spark that many had hoped for", adding that "it was a disappointing outcome for a promising talent and a song that held potential".{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Benjamin |date=18 May 2025 |title=I watched the 2025 Eurovision final - here's the good, the bad and the ugly |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/eurovision-2025-review-winner-remember-monday-good-bad-ugly-5134116 |url-status=live |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Edinburgh Evening News |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250520100735/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/eurovision-2025-review-winner-remember-monday-good-bad-ugly-5134116 }}
Væb performed a repeat of their performance in the grand final on 17 May. The song performed tenth, after {{Esccnty|Austria|y=2025}}'s JJ and before {{Esccnty|Latvia|y=2025}}'s Tautumeitas.{{cite news |last=van Dijk |first=Sem Anne |date=16 May 2025 |title=Eurovision 2025: Grand Final Running Order Revealed |url=https://eurovoix.com/2025/05/16/%F0%9F%87%A8%F0%9F%87%ADeurovision-2025-grand-final-running-order-revealed/ |access-date=16 May 2025 |work=Eurovoix News |archive-date=18 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250518051737/https://eurovoix.com/2025/05/16/%F0%9F%87%A8%F0%9F%87%ADeurovision-2025-grand-final-running-order-revealed/ |url-status=live }} After the results were announced, the duo finished in 25th with 33 points, with a split score of 0 jury points and 33 televoting points.{{Cite web |last=Þórhallsson |first=Markús Þ. |date=18 May 2025 |title=Dómnefndirnar létu VÆB róa en áhorfendur voru ánægðari |trans-title=The juries made VÆB row but the audience was happier |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/444165 |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=RÚV}} Regarding the former category, the highest a country ranked the song was 13th, three positions away from a points-paying placing.{{Cite web |last=Mazoyer |first=Vincent |date=19 May 2025 |title=Behind the nul points: 🇮🇸 Iceland last in jury points but not in jury ranks |url=https://escxtra.com/2025/05/19/behind-the-nul-points-iceland2025/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=ESC Xtra |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 May 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250519114647/https://escxtra.com/2025/05/19/behind-the-nul-points-iceland2025/ }} In the latter category, the song did not receive any of the maximum 12 points; the most a country awarded it was 10 points from {{Esccnty|Denmark|y=2025}}.{{Cite web |title=Grand Final of Basel 2025 - Iceland Grand Final Results Allocation |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/basel-2025/grand-final/results/iceland |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=12 June 2025 |website=Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} In response to their result, the duo stated to RÚV that performing at Eurovision was the "best feeling ever", proclaiming that the performance "went incredibly well" and that they were "unbelievably satisfied".{{Cite web |last=Jónsson |first=Þorgils |date=18 May 2025 |title=Danir reyndust VÆB best |trans-title=Danes proved to be the best for VÆB |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/444170 |access-date=20 June 2025 |website=RÚV}} In addition, they commended their televoting score and position, stating, "We did not make this song for the juries... we made it for the people... they received it very well."
Track listing
Digital download/streaming{{Cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=RÓA - Single by Væb |url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/r%C3%B3a/1805594348 |access-date=16 June 2025 |website=Apple Music (US) |language=en-US }}
- "Róa" – 2:42
Digital download/streaming – {{ill|Axmo|de}} remix{{Cite web |date=4 July 2025 |title=RÓA (AXMO Remix) - Single by Væb & Axmo |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/r%C3%B3a-axmo-remix-single/1822975068 |access-date=4 July 2025 |website=Apple Music (US) |language=en-US }}
- "Róa" (Axmo remix) – 2:47
Charts
Release history
class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Release history and formats for "RÓA" ! scope="col" | Region ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Format(s) ! scope="col" | Version ! scope="col" | Label ! scope="col" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
scope="row" rowspan="2" | Various
| 17 January 2025 | rowspan="2" | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Original | rowspan="2" | Alda |
---|
4 July 2025
| {{ill|Axmo|de}} remix |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Primary sources references section}}
{{Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest|state=collapsed}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest 2025|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roa}}
Category:Eurovision songs of 2025
Category:Eurovision songs of Iceland